Importing Personal Property

[ryna 132]

My wife (then-fiancee) arrived here in the U.S. on Jan 2, 2011 with just a couple of suitcases full of her stuff that we brought back with us after my last trip to Colombia. We got married within the month and filed AOS within 3 months. Our intention was, at some point during the second half of this year, to return to Colombia to pack the rest (some small furniture, more clothes, CDs, books, electronics, etc.) for shipment to our house here the U.S.

Well.... we never dreamed we'd be nearing December and still without her Green Card, so we haven't gone back yet. I had heard that you have one year to import your personal property duty-free. Does that clock start ticking upon K-1 arrival (when you aren't even legally a resident) or upon receipt of the GC/LPR status? Or, am I completely mistaken about the timeframe?

What is the rule for this?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

No, your wife has up to 10 years to import her personal belongings. You've got plenty of time .

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/421/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvc2lkLzJLOFRCSkpr/~/moving-to-the-u.s.---importing-personal-and-household-effects%2C-relative-or

Edited November 22, 2011 by Kathryn41

[hangover 0]

wow didn't know about that... its interesting...